Per Mertesacker reveals how Arsenal players caused Wenger’s sack

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After the end of the 2017/18 season, Arsene Wenger stepped down from his position at Arsenal, one he held for more than two decades.

The Gunners won four Premier League games away from home in the previous campaign, which includes only one win on the road in 2018 and that came in his final match against Huddersield Town.

The north London club struggled in his final season at the club as they finished sixth and failed to qualify for this term’s Champions League. When he decided to resign, the 68-year-old still had one year left on his contract.

Per Mertesacker ended his playing career in May and is now coaching the English club’s academy. The 33-year-old gave a lengthy interview to German outlet Spox.com and during the course of the interview, he was asked how Wenger broke the news about his decision to end to end his time at the club.

“That was very surprising for all of us. He came into the meeting room and said that together with the bosses he had decided to quit at the end of the season. It was a sad moment because I felt like I’d done my part,” the 2014 World Cup winner said.

“His departure was the fault of us players because we had many opportunities to get better results. We failed while he always stood in front of us. I felt the need to be the first to speak, and expressed my deep regret. It was important for him to see that as a team, we have something to say and stand for.”